Review - MG ZS EV

This is why the MG ZS EV is such an important car, considering the sole fact that it remains Australia’s cheapest entry-point into the world of electric vehicles. But just how much value is on offer in Australia’s cheapest electric vehicle, and what sacrifices might you be forced to make when switching over to MG’s vision of the electric future? 

Another thing for buyers to remember, too, is that the MG ZS EV is due for a significant overhaul sometime in 2022, so with that keenly in mind, should buyers wait for the next-generation ZS EV or will they be well served by the existing model? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $44,990

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MG ZS EV (MY21) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check MG ZS EV car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The MG ZS EV is available in a single variant lineup, which is priced from $44,990 drive-away, which is particularly affordable for the electric vehicle market, especially when you consider the fact that this includes on-road costs. 

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Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save by sourcing one of our car specialists to help you find the best value model for you. 

What Features Does the MG ZS EV Have?

The MG ZS EV comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, and receives an adaptive cruise control system, automatic headlights with adaptive high beam, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry and start, panoramic sunroof, leatherette upholstery and steering wheel, a reversing camera with rear-mounted parking sensors, heated front seats, an electric parking brake, six-way electric adjustable front seats, an exclusive grille finish with silver inlays and chrome surrounds, as well as an 8.0-inch infotainment system fitted with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation which is paired with a six-speaker sound system. 

Range Features: 

• 17-inch alloy wheels 

• LED daytime running lamps

• Automatic headlights with high beam assist 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Panoramic sunroof

• Leatherette upholstery and steering wheel 

• Heated front seats 

• Six-way electric adjustable front seats 

• Keyless entry and start 

• Rear-view camera with rear-mounted parking sensors 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

• Satellite navigation 

• Six speaker sound system 

• MG exclusive grille with silver inlays and chrome surround 

MG ZS EV Colours

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

While it might be the cheapest electric vehicle you can buy in Australia, MG has created an impressive package with the MG ZS EV that is sure to impress new owners. The major caveat here, though, is that the range is more suited to those looking for an urban commuter, rather than a family car with long distance potential. We’ll cover this in the next section of our review. 

As an urban commuter, though, the MG ZS EV performs admirably, offering a silent, user-friendly driving dynamic that is perfectly suited to the urban jungle. The single motor configuration offers 105kW/353Nm, which translates to a fairly smooth and sedate form of acceleration that will feel familiar to those with experience behind the wheel of the existing lineup of compact crossovers. 

The steering rack retains a relatively lightweight design which makes it easy to maneuver in low speed traffic and while squeezing into tight car parks, and the throttle pedal is fairly forgiving to any sudden inputs, which makes the MG ZS EV perfectly suited to everyday driving and errand runs. 

As per usual with electric vehicles, the ZS EV comes fitted with regenerative braking technology that captures energy lost during braking, and feeds this back into the battery pack. The ZS EV offers three levels of regenerative braking, which the driver can easily adjust with the touch of a button, depending on how aggressive they want the deceleration to be when lifting off the throttle. While it takes a minute to acclimatise, the system offers the ability of one-foot driving while actually increasing the real-world driving range potential. 

In terms of its suspension, the MG ZS EV feels quite firm on smooth surfaces, and on rougher surfaces, can make the rear in particular feel a little unsettled. This is the result of that heavy battery pack under the floor, but in everyday driving situations, the MG ZS EV remains comfortable enough for the majority of road surfaces. 

How Far Can the MG ZS EV Travel on a Single Charge? 

The MG ZS EV is powered by a 44.5kWh battery pack, which translates to a claimed range figure of 263km per charge, under the WLTP cycle. This means that the ZS EV offers a driving range that is more suited to commuting tasks around town or the city, rather than long-distance touring in the country. 

High-speed driving on the highway can put the battery under significant strain, whereas low speed driving in and around the city, filled with stop-start traffic actually helps to feed more power to the battery pack thanks to the regenerative braking system. Overall, the ZS EV is quite limited when it comes to all-electric driving, but if you’re looking for something to pilot around the city day-to-day for shorter journeys, it remains perfectly suited. 

How Long Does it Take to Charge the MG ZS EV? 

The MG ZS EV can be charged both at home, and with the help of a DC fast-charger you can drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to fully-charge the ZS EV. Using a 7kWh AC charger at home, it takes around seven hours to fully charge the 44.5kWh battery, while this figure drops to just 45-minutes using a 50kWh DC fast-charger from zero to 80 per cent state of charge.  

Is the MG ZS EV Practical and Spacious? 

While all gear underneath the bonnet and floor of the MG ZS EV is completely different to the rest of the range, you’ll be glad to hear that MG has retained its practical and family-friendly nature throughout the interior. 

Up front, you’ll find a comfortable set of heated seats wrapped in faux leather, with the sense of space and light within the cabin helped massively by the large panoramic sunroof which adds to the front cabin’s appeal. 

The uncrowded design of the centre console offers some storage in front of the gear lever, as well as in the sliding central storage housing two cup holders, paired with storage in the folding armrest which add to the practical nature of the ZS EV. The seating position is electronically-adjustable, and with a heap of adjustment in the steering wheel, the driver is able to find their perfect seating position regardless of their size. 

Moving to the rear of the cabin, you’ll find a bench seat with in-built ISOFIX anchors for families, with that sunroof once again adding to the sense of space in the rear cabin. The amount of space on offer in the rear of the cabin is perfect for growing families, with a heap of head and legroom available for those under 180cm, while taller passengers might struggle to get completely comfortable on long journeys. Due to that range figure, though, this is unlikely to prove a major issue. 

In terms of cargo capacity, the MG ZS EV has a boot rated at 359L, which expands to 1,166L with the rear seats folded down. This translates to fairly impressive carrying potential for a midsize crossover SUV, and can easily accommodate a large supermarket run with a couple of school backpacks squeezed in, too. 

Is it Safe? 

The MG ZS EV has been awarded a five star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 90 out of 100 for adult protection, 85 for child protection, 64 for pedestrian protection and 70 for its safety assist technologies. 

As standard, the MG ZS EV comes packaged with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane-keep assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts, forward-collision alerts, a rear view camera with parking sensors and six airbags throughout the cabin, making it a safe offering within the midsize SUV market. 

Our Verdict: Is the MG ZS EV Worth it?

The MG ZS EV offers a heap of value for those looking for an affordable electric vehicle, however, buyers should be aware of the limited range on offer in the current-generation ZS EV. 

If you’re looking for an electric vehicle to pilot around town, though, and don’t need to drive the car too far from your workplace or home, it remains one of the single-best value for money propositions within Australia’s EV landscape. 

Keep in mind, though, that the next generation ZS EV is coming next year with updated technology and larger battery packs which will add considerably to the range figure, so if you’re not in a hurry, waiting for the replacement could prove your best move. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car right now,, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty for vehicle and battery pack

2. 263km all-electric driving range from 44.5kWh lithium-ion battery 

3. 0-80% charging in 45-minutes with 50kW DC fast-charger; 7-hours at home 

4. Five star ANCAP safety rating 

5. 359L boot space 

Pros 

• Unparalleled value for money within the electric vehicle market 

• Great, affordable EV for short trips around town 

• Generous equipment lists 

• Attractive ownership program 

Cons

• Infotainment system issues 

• Limited driving range

• Firm suspension platform on rough surfaces 

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

MG ZS EV Competition